Raptors Fly Safely through First 5,000 Hours

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stacey Haga
  • 325th Fighter Wing Publikc Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AETCNS) --  When the F-22 Raptors of the 43rd Fighter Squadron here collectively reached the 5,000 flying hour mark Sept. 20, they did so with a sparkling safety record.

Squadron maintainers and pilots have prevented extensive damage and loss of aircraft here since the Raptor arrived, said Master Sgt. Michael Rabb, 43rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit production superintendent, who has been with 43rd AMU since the Raptors arrived. He added that this accomplishment was achieved because focus is put on one mission -- training world-class Raptor pilots and crew chiefs.

"We train the best pilots and maintainers to do the job right the first time," Rabb said. "Without proper training, accidents could happen."

Tyndall is the second base to reach the 5,000 hour milestone with the Raptor following Edwards AFB, Calif.

This feat may seem insignificant compared to the many hours of other fighter aircraft, but the Raptor's journey here has been an intricate balance between tactical progression and discovering the full capabilities of the advanced weapon system technology.

"Initially, the ratio was about six pilots to one jet, and the jet didn't have all the capabilities the pilots needed for effective training," Rabb said. "Since then, with all the modifications, this jet has truly become the cream of the crop. As the old saying goes, 'it's like fine wine -- it gets better with age.' The more time we have to work the bugs out, the better the jet gets."

The Raptors here are first production aircraft, and as with any new vehicle, they are the initial models used to determine future upgrades and advancements.

"The F-22 is the new kid on the block," said Mike Cabiness, F-22 site manager. "It's a leap in technology compared to anything flying today. In a way, it's like comparing the P-51 to the F-4."

Regardless of inevitable obstacles, Tyndall's crews have continued to mature the planes to match the configuration of later production models like those at Langley AFB, Va. Since standing up as the only F-22 flying training squadron, the 43rd FS has produced 74 F-22 pilots.

"Achieving 5,000 flying hours is an important milestone for our operation here," said Lt. Col. David Krumm, 43rd FS Commander. "The 43rd AMU has performed magnificently in bringing the airplane from the test environment to a normal flying operation. Last year we increased our flying hours by over 50 percent from the previous year. We are planning an even larger increase for fiscal year 2007 and will continue to increase our flying operations and train more Raptor pilots to meet the needs of the Air Force.